Magical run ends for Tigers

Monday

It had to end some time, and so the LSU joyride of a baseball season came to a halt in an elimination game at the College World Series, last week.

And what a joyride it was, continuing with a last-inning victory over Rice in Omaha, Neb.

The magic finally ran out when North Carolina hit a grand slam home run to snap a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth inning.

Such dramatics usually had been the domain of LSU, first during its Southeastern Conference-record 23-game winning streak, and next during a postseason that merely accentuated the Tigersí phenomenal success. LSU came from behind to stun Cal-Irvine in the super regional, 9-7, and continued its uncanny comebacks with a four-run ninth that sent Rice home, 6-5.

For a time, it seemed LSUís charmed existence would carry the Tigers through against the Tar Heels. After all, Mother Nature worked in LSUís favor when the Tigers fell apart in the first inning against North Carolina.

The Tar Heels appeared ready to unload on LSU starter Blake Martin when the rains halted play until the next day. With just one out, North Carolina already had a 2-0 lead and the bases loaded. What LSU needed was a double-play grounder.

When play resumed, thatís exactly what new pitcher Jared Bradford induced. Whatís more, when North Carolina took a 3-1 lead, LSU junior first baseman Matt Clark was there with another crucial home run.

His two-run blast tied the score, making it seem as if destiny was again in LSUís favor. Instead North Carolinaís Mark Federowicz ruined LSUís party with a base-clearing shot that was reminiscent of what the Tigersí already had done to many a shell-shocked opponent.

Federowiczís blast conjured up images of Stanfordís Paul Carey, whose grand slam off Ben McDonald in 1987 cost the Tigers a spot in the CWS championship game. Whatís more, Carey was just a freshman.

North Carolina simply advanced to its bracket championship against Fresno State. The Tar Heels won again on a last-inning home run only to lose in the rematch. Federowicz sported a measly .180 batting average in the CWS, but he was hitting cleanup and had the capability of pulling off the heroics that he did.

After Carey pierced the Tigersí heart, LSU failed to earn an NCAA postseason invitation the next season. LSU doesnít figure to suffer a similar fate. Instead, the Tigers are brimming with confidence and primed to return to Omaha a year from now.

It will take plenty for that to happen, but the Tigers certainly have the ingredients to make it so. Third baseman Michael Hollander is the only position player to have completed his eligibility. That means second-year coach Paul Mainieri will welcome the return of the likes of Blake Dean and Clark. It was Deanís line-drive double that drove home three runs to beat Rice.

Mainieri still needs some top-flight pitchers to properly arm LSU for a title run. Bradford was steady throughout most of the season and probably at his best in subduing North Carolina for 52/3 innings.

Mainieri also needs two assistant coaches, having lost both to the University of Central Florida. One went as head coach, the other as his top assistant. Ironically, LSU begins next season against UCF.

Maineri would do well to mimic the actions of football coach Les Miles, who constantly has made the right call in hiring new assistants.

LSU had developed such wonderful chemistry that Mainieri must be careful not to disrupt it. The Tigersí strong belief system bolstered everyoneís self image and helped to define team roles. Jealousy and envy were not part of their makeup. Rather, they supported one another and did whatever Maneri asked of them.

Time and again, they went above and beyond the call of duty. The astounding results clearly created the standard by which all future teams will be judged.